Samaria Gorge: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
Plan your hike through Europe's longest gorge — when to go, what to bring, and how a rental car makes the tricky logistics easy.
Written by Artemis Maninakis
Artemis Maninakis is the founder of IQ Car Rentals and runs its fleet from Kolymbari, West Crete — every guide is written from first-hand local experience on Crete's roads.
The Samaria Gorge is the most famous hike in Crete — a 16km descent through one of Europe's longest gorges, from the Omalos plateau down to the Libyan Sea. It's a bucket-list day out, and a rental car is the easiest way to handle its one-way logistics.
What to expect
The trail starts at Xyloskalo (1,230m) and drops through pine forest, past the abandoned village of Samaria, to the famous "Iron Gates" where the walls narrow to just a few metres. It ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. Allow 5–7 hours; it's downhill but long and rocky, so good shoes are essential.
The logistics (and why a car helps)
Samaria is a one-way, point-to-point hike — you can't drive to the finish. The classic plan:
- Drive yourself to the Omalos / Xyloskalo trailhead and park.
- Hike down to Agia Roumeli (no road reaches it).
- Take the ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sougia or Chora Sfakion.
- Catch the connecting bus back up to Omalos to collect your car.
Having your own car means you set off early (before the tour buses) and aren't tied to a coach's schedule on either end. From our Kolymbari office the Omalos plateau is about a 1-hour drive.
Best time to visit
The gorge is open roughly May to mid-October (it closes in winter and after heavy rain for safety). Late spring and September are ideal — wildflowers or cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds than peak August.
What to bring
- Proper hiking shoes or trainers with grip
- At least 1.5–2L of water (there are natural springs along the way to refill)
- Sun hat, sunscreen and a light layer
- Snacks and a small first-aid kit
- Cash for the entry fee and the return ferry/bus
Prefer something shorter?
If 16km sounds like a lot, try the "lazy way": take the ferry to Agia Roumeli and walk just the lower section up to the Iron Gates and back. Or explore the equally beautiful Imbros Gorge, which is shorter and also reachable by car.
Ready for the adventure? Book your rental car and drive up to Omalos at your own pace — or browse our fleet to find the right car for Crete's mountain roads.
